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I don't know quite what it is, but for some reason this book really annoyed me, and I found it more annoying the further along I got. It started off pretty well, and I wondered how much weight I should put to the feeling that it was strongly derivative of Hitty, Her First Hundred Years. (Not just the idea of a doll moving through time, witnessing American history, belonging to and affecting different children, etc--goodness, you'd think that'd be enough, wouldn't you?--but the doll's personality
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Each of the stories in this book could stand alone; Larson was able to include so much in just 200 pages. At first I would be disappointed that one story was finished and I had to start over again, but each story became very compelling. I really enjoy books that make me want to find out more about their background (if based on fact), and this one encouraged me to find out more about the friendship dolls. I imagine that students reading this book may not have a lot of knowledge about WPA, the poo
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This is another satisfying piece of historical fiction from the always-reliable Kirby Larson. I was mesmerized by the story from its opening pages and read it in one installment. I love how history is woven with the creative imaginings of "What if?" from the author. Fifty-eight dolls actually were sent to this country as Ambassadors of Friendship from Japan in response to doll gifts sent to Japan from the United States earlier. Larson imagines the travels and brief enounters one particular doll,
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In 1927, 58 life-sized dolls were created by master dollmakers and sent to the US by Japanese schoolchildren as a gesture of goodwill to the children of America. Kirby’s novel follows the path of one of these dolls, Miss Kanagawa, through her debut in a New York City department store to the Chicago World’s Fair then on to Kentucky and Oregon at the start of the Second World War. Miss Kanagawa’s story is a series of encounters with the girls who awaken her heart as she discovers the true meaning
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Just fine. You know I adore the Depression era, and I liked parts of the book very much, but I don't think it will stick around as a legendary book. I LOVE that Kirby Larson pursued this book, though, just based on a photo she found when she was researching Hattie Big Sky.
As a Seattelite, whose city is gearing up for the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World's Fair, I also enjoyed being front seat at the Chicago World's Fair. This also made me want to read Devil in the White City. I know it's some ...more
As a Seattelite, whose city is gearing up for the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World's Fair, I also enjoyed being front seat at the Chicago World's Fair. This also made me want to read Devil in the White City. I know it's some ...more
Wasn't sure if I'd like this one; very girly (dolls) and historical fiction, which I haven't liked in the past, but this was quite a good book. Larson matter-of-factly creates a personality for the doll character, Miss Kanagawa, and it was interesting to read about the lives she touched over time. Quite touching and meaningful; I don't think it will win the Newbery but I will definitely recommend it to girl readers, grades 3-5, and to girls who like historical fiction. Touches on the Great Depre
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Great book! A lot like Edward Tulane in that this doll brings peace and closure to so many lives, young and old alike. Love that it is a historical book as well.
I enjoyed the book, but I'm not sure how elementary/middle school students would like it. It would need to be a read aloud.
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Mostly historical fiction about the Great Depression with a bit of a doll with ESP thrown in. Short, but a really good story.
A doll created by a master in Japan and given to the U.S. in friendship meets and influences the lives of various people over time from the 1920s to the present day. Gr. 3-6
The history of these Japanese Friendship dolls is completely fascinating to me - and I'm sure it has everything to do with this lovely novel of connected stories.
Webpage with pictures of the individual dolls:
http://wgordon.web.wesleyan.edu/dolls...
Check out Mary Ann Scheuer's wonderful review here: http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com/201...
Also I plan to incorporate the word geegaw into more of my daily conversations. ...more
Webpage with pictures of the individual dolls:
http://wgordon.web.wesleyan.edu/dolls...
Check out Mary Ann Scheuer's wonderful review here: http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com/201...
Also I plan to incorporate the word geegaw into more of my daily conversations. ...more
very reminiscent of Hitty, Edward Tulane, and others
May 05, 2011
Megan
marked it as to-read
Jul 25, 2011
Kathryn
marked it as to-read
Aug 09, 2011
Rachel
marked it as to-read
Jan 13, 2012
alisonwonderland (Alison)
marked it as to-read
Feb 03, 2013
Anamaria
added it
